Key Points

For Pregnant Women

For pregnant women, four vaccinations are recommended: those against pertussis, the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These vaccinations help protect both the pregnant woman and her newborn, who is particularly vulnerable to infections while waiting for their first vaccinations.

In 2025, 84% of women who gave birth in the region were vaccinated against pertussis
. This vaccination coverage has risen sharply since 2023 (+19 percentage points).

During the 2025–2026 RSV immunization campaign, 66% of
eligible pregnant women in the region were vaccinated against RSV. This figure represents a
significant increase compared to the 2024–2025 campaign (+24 percentage points), during which this
vaccination was first implemented.

Vaccination coverage for influenza and COVID-19 among pregnant women is very
low, even though pregnancy is a risk factor.

Among adults aged 65 and older

For adults aged 65 and older, vaccinations against pneumococcal disease and shingles
have been recommended for everyone since 2025, in addition to vaccinations against seasonal flu, COVID-19, and booster shots against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP). Vaccination against RSV infections is also recommended for those aged 75 and older, as well as for people between the ages of 65 and 74 with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions. These vaccinations are part of a strategy to protect older adults against respiratory infections, which are responsible for numerous hospitalizations and complications such as cardiovascular events, cognitive decline, and loss of independence.

In the region, flu vaccination coverage has increased by more than 3 percentage points to
reach 61%—the first such increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it still falls short of the 75% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the Pays de la Loire region, 32% of people aged 65 and older at high risk for severe forms of pneumococcal disease were properly vaccinated against pneumococcal infections in 2025. Only 6% of the target population was vaccinated against shingles in 2025.

Among residents and staff working in residential care facilities for dependent older adults

For residents and staff working in long-term care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad), influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone, in addition to preventive measures, to protect the most vulnerable.

Among residents in long-term care facilities, flu vaccination coverage was high (83%) during the 2025–2026 season, exceeding the 75% threshold recommended by the WHO. COVID-19 vaccination coverage, however, was lower, estimated at 66%.

Among healthcare professionals working in nursing homes, flu vaccination coverage remains insufficient at only 26%, despite recommendations. There was a slight upward trend during the 2025–2026 season.

Vaccination Uptake

Vaccination uptake among adults (ages 18–79) remained at 81% in the Pays de la Loire region, but one in five seniors remained reluctant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and one in eight was reluctant to receive the flu vaccine.